Kicks, knees and a relentless clinch game pushed the former
Shooto,
Strikeforce
and EliteXC
champion to a split decision over Woodley at UFC
161 “Evans vs. Henderson” on Saturday at the MTS Centre in
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Two of the three judges scored it 29-28
for Shields (28-6-1, 3-2 UFC); a third cast a dissenting 30-27 vote
for Woodley.

The 34-year-old Shields sucked the American Top Team export into
his world over and over again, as he wore down the two-time NCAA
All-American wrestler in the clinch. Woodley came through in spurts
-- he landed a searing spinning back fist in the third round -- but
never mounted a sustained offensive against the Cesar
Gracie Fight Team representative.

Krause Guillotine Submits Stout

James
Krause made a successful entry into the UFC’s lightweight
division, coaxing a tapout from Sam Stout with
a third-round guillotine choke in an undercard tilt at 155 pounds.
Stout (19-9-1, 8-8 UFC) reluctantly conceded defeat 4:47 into round
one, as he was submitted for the first time in nearly seven
years.

A replacement for the injured Isaac
Vallie-Flagg, Krause (20-4, 1-0 UFC) established himself from
the start. He controlled the standup exchanges with his length and
kept the Canadian kickboxer at bay. The 27-year-old World Extreme
Cagefighting veteran delivered the most decisive blow of the bout
in the first round -- a head kick that left Stout with a nasty gash
near his right eyebrow. The blood flowed, covering the right side
of his face and staining Krause’s white shorts pink.

Stout turned the tide in round two, where he went to the body with
great effect and bullied Krause to the ground with a takedown.
Krause turned to leg kicks in the third round, mixed in a nice jab
and countered a late takedown from Stout with the arm-in
guillotine. The 29-year-old fought to free himself but ultimately
succumbed to the choke.

Krause has won eight fights in a row, six of them finishes.

Josh
Hedges/Zuffa LLC/UFC

Pierson denied Robertson despite a late surge.

Pierson Survives Late Surge, Denies Robertson

Toronto’s Sean Pierson
rode crisp counterpunching and a strong sprawl to a majority
decision over Kenny
Robertson in a preliminary welterweight clash. Two of the three
judges saw it 29-29 for Pierson (14-6, 4-2 UFC); a third scored it
a 28-28 draw.

Pierson was in command for much of the first two rounds, as he
neutralized his opponent’s takedown game and racked up points on
the feet with effective counters.

One strike altered the flow of the match at the outset of round
three, as Robertson cracked the Canadian with an exquisite standing
elbow and swarmed with punches for a potential finish. Pierson
somehow weathered the assault, but Robertson transitioned to his
back, fished for chokes and did enough damage to secure a 10-8
round on one of the scorecards.

A replacement for the injured T.J.
Waldburger, Robertson (12-3, 1-3 UFC) has lost two of his last
three fights.

Figueroa (9-3, 2-3 UFC) had his moments, as he threatened the
Canadian with a triangle choke in the second round and whacked him
with some heavy ground-and-pound late in the third. However, the
28-year-old McKinney, Texas, native simply could not stay on his
feet long enough to get his standup in gear. Delorme dragged him to
the ground in all three rounds, transitioned to his back with
surprising ease and compromised his guard with little
resistance.

Clarke Snaps Losing Streak

Mitch
Clarke threw the brakes on a two-fight losing streak, as he
captured a unanimous decision over Tsunami Gym export John
Maguire in a preliminary lightweight affair. All three cageside
judges scored it the same: 29-28 for Clarke (10-2, 1-2 UFC).

Leg kicks and clinches were the Canadian’s weapons of choice, as he
kept Maguire off stride for a majority of their 15-minute
encounter. Maguire countered with takedowns and a handful of left
hands but never completely turned the tide in his favor. Clarke
closed with a flourish late in round three, sweeping into top
position and delivering a stout standing-to-ground right hand.

Controversial Split Verdict Favors Jabouin

A series of sweeps, takedowns and occasional ground-and-pound led
Tristar Gym representative Yves Jabouin
to a controversial split decision over “The Ultimate Fighter”
Season 14 semifinalist Dustin
Pague in an undercard scrap at 135 pounds. All three judges
struck 29-28 scorecards, two of them siding with Jabouin (19-8, 4-2
UFC).

Pague (11-8, 1-4 UFC) seemed to do enough to win. The 25-year-old
Virginian mounted Jabouin in all three rounds and threatened him
with a relentless string of submissions from his back. Still, the
judges honored the Haitian-born Canadian’s top game and his ability
to wiggle free from danger.